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You buy something new and bring it home only to realize the cashier forgot to remove the security tag. Ugh! Fortunately, you can get a security tag off at home without taking a trip all the way back to the store. We've put together an entire list of easy methods to safely and effectively remove different types of tags, whether you've got an ink or magnetic security tag. From using rubber bands to magnets, read on to find a method that'll work for you.
Steps
Using Rubber Bands
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1Place the ink cartridge of the tag face-down. The ink cartridge is the part of the tag that juts out of the plastic. It is on the opposite side of the pin, which is the round part of the tag.
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2Pull the part of the clothing with the tag away from the rest of the clothing. Move it as far away as possible so the ink doesn't ruin the clothing as much if the sensor cracks.Advertisement
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3Slip a rubber band around the pin of the security tag. The rubber band should be large and thick enough to be strong, but thin enough to fit around the pin. This will loosen the pin.
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4Hold the larger part of the ink tag with one hand.
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5Pull the pin off with the other hand. The pressure of the pins should be strong enough so that the pin eventually pops off or easily pulls apart from the rest of the tag.
- If the rubber band didn't loosen it enough, try again with multiple rubber bands.
Using a Screwdriver
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1Place the item of clothing on the floor with the ink cartridge facing up.
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2Take a very thin flathead screwdriver and place it along the edge of the raised square pyramid.
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3Press down hard. This should pierce the plastic and pull it up.
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4Continue to pop up the perimeter of the plastic.
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5Remove the silver paper lining. You'll be able to see the metal plate below it.
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6Use the screwdriver to lift one of the metal arms that holds the pin in place.
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7Slide the pin away from the tag. The pin should easily slide through the now-free hole and the tag should be removed.
Using a Magnet
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1Find a high-powered magnet. You can use a hard drive magnet or a rare earth magnet since most tags are deactivated in stores with electromagnetic devices.[1]
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2Place the dome side of the tag against the magnet.[2]
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3Pull the magnet away from the tag. The two parts of the tag should separate. If they don’t separate on their own, apply a little force. For instance, if you’re using a security tag that has a pin on the back, you may need to simply pull the pin out.[3]
Freezing the Tag
Hitting the Tag
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1Gently pull the tag away from the clothing a few times. Do this ten or so times, until it loosens the pin a bit.
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2Find a large nail. The nail should be bigger than the tag, and the head of the nail should be at least as wide as a penny.
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3Pull the tag away from the clothing. Hold the long plastic part of the tag to the side.
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4Hit down on the ink cartridge until it pops open. Without applying too much force, repeatedly strike down on the ink cartridge until it pops open. You may have to hit it twenty or more times to get it right.
- Be careful not to hit it too hard, or the tag will be more likely to burst open.
Using Needle-Nose Pliers
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1Hold the security tag with the ink cartridge side up.
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2Grip one of the sides of the rectangular tag with a pair of pliers.
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3Grip the other side of the tag with a different pair of pliers.
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4Gently bend each side of the tag down using the pliers. Don't bend too hard or the tag will crack in half and spill ink everywhere.
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5Keep bending until it pops open. This should loosen the pin and make it pop off.
Using Brute Force for Electro-Magnet Tags
Many modern tags actually contain an electro-magnet, not an ink pouch; upon breaking it open, you will see for yourself that there's no ink inside it.
Burning the Tag
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1Burn the dome-like portion of the tag with a lighter. After burning it for few seconds, it will, most likely, catch fire as it’s plastic.
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2Use a knife or similar object to chop the dome.
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3As you keep scooping in, you will find a spring and tag will pretty much pop out.
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat kind of magnet do I need to remove a security tag?
wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerMany security tags are deactivated in-store with an electromagnetic device. To remove them at home, use a high-powered magnet, such as a hard drive magnet. Place the magnet on a flat surface and lay the tag on top of it with the ink dome or cartridge facing down. You should hear a click letting you know the tag has deactivated. Wiggle the pins in the tag up and down to release them. -
QuestionCan I remove the tag by cutting the wire?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerMost garment security tags have 1 or more pins inside that secure the cartridge to the body of the tag. You may be able to cut the wire if you can manage to get a wire cutter between the 2 halves of the tag, but these pins are thick and may be difficult to cut. Another option is to use a Dremel tool, but either method could damage your garment. -
QuestionDo these tags set off the alarms at the door?
Community AnswerQuite often, yes, they are designed to set off an alarm, but this isn't the case in every store.
Things You'll Need
- Thin, flathead screwdriver.
- Hammer
- Both hands (or a friend!)
- A sharp knife can be used in place of the screwdriver as it is easier to just cut the plastic pyramid off rather than pry it off
- High-powered magnet
References
About This Article
If you brought an item of clothing home from the store only to find that the security tag is still attached, don’t fret. There are a few different ways to get those tags off without damaging your items. If it’s an ink tag, hold the larger part of the tag, which contains the ink cartridge, facing down. Pull it as far away from the surface of the clothing as possible so you don’t accidentally get ink on it if the cartridge breaks. Wrap a rubber band around the pin that holds the tag in place. This will help loosen the pin. Grab the larger side of the tag with one hand and the smaller part with the other, then firmly pull the two sides apart. If it still isn’t loose enough, try wrapping a few more rubber bands around the pin. If you don’t have any rubber bands, hold the cartridge facing up and carefully pry off the pyramid-shaped cap with a flat-head screwdriver. Peel off the foil seal underneath, then use the screwdriver to pry off the metal plate that holds the pin in place. Then, you should be able to simply slide the cartridge up off of the pin and release the tag. Whichever method you use, it can also be helpful to put the garment in the freezer overnight to freeze the ink so it doesn’t spill when you pull off the tag. If you’re dealing with an electromagnetic tag instead of an ink tag, you may be able to get it off with brute force. Wedge something between the tag and the head of the pin holding it in place, such as the edge of a flathead screwdriver. Grab the tag and wiggle it back and forth until the pin breaks, then break open the tag and pull it off. If you have a powerful magnet, such as a hard drive magnet, you can also try laying the tag flat on top of it. Listen for a clicking sound as the tag deactivates, then gently wiggle it free from the pins to release it from your garment. For more tips, including how to remove a security tag using rubber bands or pliers, read on!
